William Morrison allegedly executed his business partner with a single gunshot to the back of the head and then encased the remains in freshly poured concrete in the basement of a property he owned, according to charges filed by the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
Background
The investigation into Jonathan Brown's disappearance began in May when the 45-year-old was reported missing, according to a probable cause statement released by prosecutors. The Independence Police Department made contact with a leader in a motorcycle club who provided information about the victim's potential location—information authorities say originated from Morrison himself.
As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered that Morrison and Brown maintained ongoing financial dealings involving settlement money and business ventures. Witnesses described Morrison as exercising influence over Brown's finances, housing, and business activities, painting a picture of a relationship that had become increasingly contentious.
Brown was last seen alive on May 10 in surveillance footage from an excavation and demolition company. In the video, the victim gets out of an older model white sedan at around 11:30 p.m., police said. Minutes later, Brown and another man are seen leaving in the same vehicle.
Family members told investigators that Brown maintained regular contact with relatives, friends, motorcycle club members, and his children through calls, texts, social media, and in-person communication. The sudden cessation of all communication was deemed highly unusual by those who knew him.
On the day of his disappearance, Brown sent his mother a Happy Mother's Day text—the last she ever heard from him, according to charging documents.
The Investigation
Detectives learned that Brown left with Morrison on the evening of May 10 to perform concrete work at a residence the defendant owns. A woman living at the property told police that both men arrived to conduct basement construction involving digging holes and preparing for concrete placement.
During the work, Morrison allegedly instructed the tenant to retrieve Taco Bell for them. When she returned with the food order, Brown was no longer present. Morrison told her the victim had left with an unknown female, according to the probable cause statement.
Surveillance footage from a nearby residence corroborated the timeline. A white sedan arrived at the property late on May 10 and departed after 3 a.m. the following morning. Only one additional vehicle briefly approached during that window—behavior consistent with food delivery service, matching the tenant's account of Taco Bell ordering.
Detectives also spoke with another woman connected to Morrison who appeared frightened during conversations about the defendant and Brown's disappearance. She identified a white Buick sedan associated with Morrison and told investigators he referred to the vehicle as his do dirt car.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the residence, deploying cadaver dogs. Two different canines independently alerted to the odor of human remains near the northwest corner of a newly poured concrete slab in the basement, prosecutors said.
After excavating the property, investigators recovered Brown's remains. The autopsy confirmed he had been executed with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.
On the same day as the discovery, one of Morrison's employees told detectives the defendant directed him to a wallet containing a substantial amount of cash stashed in an air duct at his residence. Based on the driver's license inside, the employee identified the wallet as Brown's and declined to take any money because he did not want anything to do with it.
The Charges
Morrison, 63, faces one count each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action over Brown's death. He remains held at the Jackson County Detention Center without bond.
The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office is handling the case, with the Independence Police Department leading the investigation. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also assisted with the execution of search warrants.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Brown, 45, was last seen alive on May 10 before his disappearance and subsequent discovery in a basement concrete slab
- Morrison allegedly shot Brown once in the back of the head before encasing his remains in newly poured concrete at a property he owned
- Police say financial disputes over settlement money and business ventures motivated the killing
- Two cadaver dogs independently alerted to human remains near the same concrete location, leading investigators to the body
- Morrison is also accused of directing an employee to a wallet containing Brown's cash stashed in an air duct
What's Next
Morrison is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8 for preliminary proceedings. The case remains under investigation by the Independence Police Department with support from partner agencies. Additional charges related to financial crimes may follow as prosecutors continue examining the scope of Morrison's alleged manipulation of Brown's business and personal affairs.